Snow swan graces Powell Avenue

CITY OF NEWBURGH — Alex Costa worked quickly to the side of a snow swan he'd built earlier Thursday.

CITY OF NEWBURGH — Alex Costa worked quickly to the side of a snow swan he'd built earlier Thursday.

The swan was good, wings spread behind her as if just settling onto the water, but the new project was to be something different.

"My idea for this one," the 24-year-old artist said, "was the Venus. Not the Venus of Willendorf, but the Venus of "¦ something."

Cars slid down Powell Avenue behind him as he worked. A couple of grim-faced neighbors across the street methodically shoveled a driveway.

The drive-by audience on Powell Avenue was appreciative or at least curious. Passengers turned all the way around in their seats for a longer look. A middle-aged man honked. Another gave him a thumbs up.

Costa finished the woman's face with olive halves for eyes, a laurel of fresh rosemary and a smear of red liquid across her lips.

He smoothed her curves with a kitchen knife and stood back to look.

The Venus of Powell Avenue stared out at the neighborhood.

Doyle Murphy

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